Hot date Hamilton up to speed with Alonso

By JONATHAN McEVOY in Valencia

Last updated at 14:03 22 January 2007

Another world-class performance from Lewis Hamilton, and he's not even driven a Formula One car in anger yet.

The latest test of his mettle saw him introduced to the world's Press in a gigantic conference centre, which appeared to owe its design values to Sydney Opera House, and then embark on a type of speed dating.

That's to say he, along with other McLaren luminaries, rotated from one table of journalists to the next every 10 minutes. The interrogations took several forms, but revolved around the $64million question: Does he possess that x-factor?

Hype inevitably clouds the issue. He's just turned 22 and makes his debut in the season's opening race in Australia on March 18.

His chance arrives after he completed his impeccable journey through the junior ranks by romping to victory in the feeder series, GP2, last year.

He also happens to be the first black man ever to reach the pinnacle of motor racing. It's a heady mix for the Hertfordshire racer, but he was so sure-footed and mature under cross examination that it was hard to tell him apart from his new team-mate, the double world champion Fernando Alonso.

"I know how to become the best," he said, as if a statement of fact. "I just need time."

It's hard to argue. Behind the wheel, he possesses rare talent. Even with just nine days of testing in the McLaren F1 car, he's showing signs of electrifying promise. Bookies incredibly quote him at 25-1 to be crowned 2007 world champion.

He even beat Alonso the one and only day they tested together, leading the time sheet in Jerez last month, three-tenths of a second faster than his senior partner, who admittedly was driving the McLaren for the very first time.

It's notoriously difficult to draw conclusions from testing and nobody is seriously expecting Hamilton to eclipse Alonso, who moved from Renault over the close season, when the serious action begins.

A nagging concern among Formula One's chattering class is that Hamilton's rapid progression into a top team, alongside the man hailed as Michael Schumacher's natural successor, will damage a rare talent? Would he not be better suited to a drive out of the limelight? Will he not be scarred if he is routinely beaten by his rival from the same garage.

Hamilton said: "I have to be realistic and take the rough with the smooth. I know how to lose and turn things into positives.

"I have to prepare mentally. I need to start with a good foundation. A nice strong finish would be a great start. Then we can work towards a podium or a win."

Alonso is in a position to judge the wisdom of Hamilton's career move, having launched his F1 career with minnows Minardi.

The Spaniard said: "I don't know which way is better. If you are with a smaller team you can gain confidence and experience with no pressure. But in a bigger team, you can be up at the front and that can help your development.

"He has to be calm with everything. It's fine when you are in the car, but it will be the rest of the time when it can get stressful. He needs to be very focused and that's how he will be. He's really clever and will have no problems.

"He's coming new into Formula One with new ideas and mentality and sometimes this can help change the philosophy that's been in a team for years."

Damon Hill, Britain's last world champion 11 years ago, said last week that Hamilton will be given just six months' grace. If he isn't impressing by then, he will be perceived as a failure.

"Fair comment," said Hamilton. "If you go in and don't do well, what are you doing there? I expect after six months to have learned a lot from the races I have done. I need to be quick and on the pace. I need to produce the goods.

"That's what I've been doing for the last 10 years, so this doesn't feel any different."

Time and again, Hamilton returns to the theme of learning. There is a constant urge to better himself, a tangible thirst for perfection. The intensity of his desire to succeed seems to set him apart from the other British hopefuls of recent years.

To be in his presence and see his brown eyes light up when the subject of winning is raised, is a glimpse into the mind of a champion.

Granted, he will probably have to wait to get his hands on the world title, but even getting the VIP scalp of his team-mate in one race this year will provide further evidence of his abilities.

He said: "If Fernando has some problems and we have a competitive car then that could be an opportunity for me to beat him. But I'd prefer it if he doesn't have a problem, that I'm be quicker than him, at the front and win."

For all the cold analysis, though, there is the heart of a boy racer who is about to fulfil his dreams in Melbourne nine weeks hence.

He revealed: "Not a day goes by when I don't think about it. I'm on a unique rollercoaster and I'm loving every minute of it. I can't wait to the first race. I really can't..."

ends

Lewis Hamilton fact file

1995: Aged 10, becomes the youngest ever national karting champion. He later approaches McLaren chief Ron Dennis at an awards dinner saying that he wants to join the team.

1998: Dennis agrees to be his patron. He becomes the world's No1 karter.

2003: Wins British Formula Renault championship.

2005: Wins European Formula 3 Championship.

2006: Storms to victory in the GP2 series. A week later, McLaren hand him an F1 race seat for the 2007 season, which makes him the top Formula's first black driver